The experiment was conducted to screen the suitable maize hybrids available in Bangladesh on the basis of their vegetative characteristics. The mean and range were calculated by using MSTATC software program. Highly significant variations among 50 maize genotypes understudied. The range of cob height was recorded from 53 to 90 cm with a mean value of 74.29 cm. The highest cob height (90 cm) was recorded in genotype BM-5, and the lowest cob height (53 cm) was observed in the genotype PAC-999. Plant height varied significantly in different maize genotypes. It ranged from 156.67 cm to 298.90 cm, with a mean value of 210.34 cm. The lowest (156.67 cm) plant height was recorded in genotype Badsha, and the highest (238.90 cm) plant height was observed in genotype NZ-510. The average number of leaves per plant was recorded at 12.82, and it ranged from 10.53 to 14.63. The maximum (14.63) number of leaves per plant was recorded in the genotype BHM-6, and the minimum (10.53) number of leaves per plant was observed in maize genotype PAC-999. The average leaf length was recorded at 87.04, and it ranged from 65.33 to 102.10. The longest (102.10) leaf length was found in genotype BM-5, and the shortest (65.33) leaf length was observed in genotype Badsha. The average leaf breadth was recorded at around 8.81, and it ranged from 5.80 cm to 10.37 cm. The broadest (10.37 cm) leaf was recorded in genotype NZ-003, and the narrowest (5.80 cm) leaf was observed in the genotype of Badsha, which was followed by Kbd-222 (7.56 cm). The lowest plant height (156.67 cm) was recorded in genotype Badsha, and the maximum number of the leaf (14.63) per plant was recorded in the genotype BHM-6; these two hybrids can be cultivated as a commercial variety.

Keywords: Maize, Genotype, Vegetative characteristics, Variation

Selection of suitable genotypes of sweetpotato for piedmont soil on the basis of morph physiological variability and yield attributes was conducted during November 2015 to April 2016. Nine genotypes viz. Local-1, Local-2, Local-5, Local-8, Exotic-1, Exotic-2, Exotic-3, Exotic-4 and BARI SP-4 were studied under field conditions at Sylhet Agricultural University Farm, Sylhet following Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Dry mass production and its partitioning during different growth stages and yields were evaluated. Results revealed that leaf dry weight increased rapidly from 60 to 105 days after planting (DAP), vine dry weight from 60 to 150 DAP and storage roots from 90 to 135 DAP. Initially dry matter partitioning into leaves, vines and fibrous roots were higher. The flows of dry matter translocation to the organizing plant parts continued to 90 DAP and thereafter dry matter translocation flow moved to the storage roots rapidly until 120 DAP. Dry matter content (%) of storage roots increased with plant age. Exotic-4, Exotic-2 had the highest dry matter content. Among the local genotypes, Local-8 had more dry matter content. Local-1, Local-8, Local-2, BARI SP-4 had the greater bulking rate from 105 – 120 DAP while Exotic-2 and Exotic-3 had from 120 – 135 DAP. Local-1 and Local-8 had greater harvest index at 120 DAP while Local-2 at 135 DAP and Exotic-3 at 150 DAP. Therefore life span of sweetpotato from 120 to 135 DAP may be important for breeding works. Harvesting stage of Local-1 and Local-8 may be 135 DAP while Exotic-3 and Local-2 may be 150 DAP. The highest yield was in Local-1 (44.06 t ha-1) followed by Local-8 (38. 82 t ha-1). Exotic-4, Exotic-3 and Local-2 contained higher total soluble solids (Brix %) from 12-14. It can be concluded that Local-1 and Local-8 may be suitable for Khadimnagor soil of Northern and Eastern Piedmont plains for higher yield. In addition Local-2, Exotic-3 showed interest for future investigation.

Keywords: Dry matter partitioning, piedmont soil, genotype, harvest index, total soluble solids

The present experiment was carried out at the flower central market Agargaon and Shahbag, Dhaka during the period from November 2013 to October 2014 to investigate the market demand, supply and price of different genotypes of gladiolus flower. The experiment included five gladiolus genotypes. Data were collected from different wholesalers and farmers. The results indicated that the existence of wide variability among the genotypes on their market demand, supply and price of different genotypes of gladiolus flower. These indicators were varied among different month of the year, different days of the week and different special days of the year. The highest demand was observed in February (100%) and the lowest was in July (70%). The highest supply was observed in February (112%) while the lowest was in June and July (58%). The average highest price of gladiolus flower was observed in August (Tk. 11.40) and the lowest price was observed in March (Tk. 4.90). The highest and lowest price of different genotypes of gladiolus flower was ranged from Tk. 2.00 to Tk. 16.00 stick-1. The white genotype had the highest price Tk. 16.00 stick-1 while the orange genotype had the lowest price Tk. 2.00 stick-1. There was significant positive correlation between demand and supply (0.96). The price was negatively correlated with supply (-0.94).

Keywords: Gladiolus, genotype, demand, supply and price

The present study was conducted with four cauliflower genotypes viz., CL-170, CL-171, CL-172 and BARI Fulcopi-1 and three sowing dates viz., 25 August, 5 September and 25 October. The experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2013-14 at the field laboratory of Horticulture Department of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) to evaluate growth and yield of cauliflower genotypes and to identify the suitable planting time in Sylhet conditions. Results showed that sowing dates and genotypes had significant influenced on growth and yield of cauliflower. The lowest days to first curd harvest was from the plant grown in 5 October sowing (86.25 days) while it was the highest from the plants in 25 August sowing (91.58 days). The highest whole plant weight was recorded from the plants of 25 August sowing (0.78 kg) while the highest individual curd weight (0.48 kg) and only curd weight (0.31 kg) was recorded in 15 September sowing. The plants in 15 September sowing produced the highest curd yield (16.32 t ha-1) followed by 15 August sowing (15.64 t ha-1). Days to first curd initiation and days to first harvest were significantly different among the genotypes. CL-171 was the earliest to first harvest (88.69 days) while the genotype CL-170 required 91.22 days to first harvest. The genotype BARI Fulcopi-1 had the highest whole plant weight (0.97 kg), marketable curd weight (0.55 kg) and only curd weight (0.32 kg). Among the four genotypes, BARI Fulcopi-1 produced the highest marketable curd yield (18.7 t ha-1) followed by CL-171 (16.37 t ha-1). Whole plant weight, marketable curd weight and only curd weight were significantly influenced by the interaction of genotypes and sowing dates. The highest marketable curd was harvested from the genotype BARI Fulcopi-1 (20.74 t ha-1) when grown in 15 September sowing which was followed by the same genotype from 25 August sowing (18.7 t ha-1).

Keywords: Cauliflower, genotype, sowing date, hilly area

The experiment was carried out during November 2013 to May 2014 in commercial flower garden of Society and Human Development Organization Tangail (SAHDOT), Village-Shota Gobra, Upazilla-Mirzapur, and District-Tangail to investigate the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of different genotypes of gladiolus flower. The experiment included five gladiolus genotypes. The characteristics in the study included plant height, length and breadth of leaf, number of leaves plant-1, length of flowers, breadth of flower, weight of flower, weight of single stick, length of spike, length of rachis, flowers plant-1, days to reach 50% spike initiation, capsule and seed. The results indicated the existence of wide variability among the genotypes on their vegetative and reproductive characteristics along with yield and yield attributes. The plant height of white genotype was the highest (60.25 cm) and the orange genotype was the lowest (45.00 cm), respectively due to genotypes. The length of leaf was recorded the highest (41.75 cm) in white genotype and while the shortest length (34.32 cm) was recorded for red one. The breadths of leaves were highest (3.04 cm) in yellow and the lowest (1.55 cm) in orange genotype. The average number of leaves was the highest (12.30) in white genotype which is followed by red, violet, orange and yellow, respectively. Genotypes varied from 59.61 to 92.00 cm and 25.60 to 47.20 cm in spike length and rachis length, respectively. Number of flower was the highest (14.30) in white and the lowest (8.42) in orange genotype. Considering crossing parameters, variations were observed for length of capsule, breadth of capsule, number of seeds capsule-1 and weight of thousand seeds. Data indicated that all the crosses produced more or less gladiolus true seed. The number of seeds capsule-1 ranged from 15.10 to 38.45. The highest number of seeds capsule-1 (38.45) was produced by the cross Yellow × Red while the lowest number of seeds capsule-1 (15.10) was produced by the cross Violet × Red. The results clearly indicated that the white genotype has the best planting materials which may be planted for luxuriant growth of plants and production of excellent flowers and for production of true seed the cross Yellow × Red is the best cross.

Keywords: Gladiolus, Gladiolus grandiflorus, genotype, crossing, true seed